Net earnings for the third quarter were $56.6 million, or 78 cents per share, compared to $59.0 million, or 82 cents per share, for the same period a year ago. They fell because of a $12.7 million in after-tax transaction-related costs from its purchase of LifeCell Corp., the company said.

Revenues for the quarter were $503.3 million, a 22 percent boost over the same period in 2007

KCI also said today it will spend up to $100 million for the repurchase of its common stock through the third quarter of 2009. It plans to buy back stock on the open market or in negotiated transactions.